Factors affecting iron status in 15-30 year old female students

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Limited Australian data exists on iron status in young women.
• Iron deficiency is a significant public health concern globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess iron status in Australian female students aged 15-30.
• To identify factors affecting iron status and iron deficiency in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• Standard haematological and biochemical tests were used to assess iron status.
• Data on demographics, diet (including haem iron intake), and risk factors were collected.
• Logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with low iron stores.

Main Results:

• Iron deficiency was found in 7.2% and iron deficiency anaemia in 4.5% of the student population.
• Factors associated with low iron stores (<20 μg/L serum ferritin) included high social status, low haem iron intake, high calcium intake, high menstrual score, and recent blood donation (in women with BMI<24).

Conclusions:

• Dietary haem iron intake is a key, modifiable factor for public health interventions.
• Promoting increased consumption of meat, chicken, and fish can improve iron status in young women.